Figure 53 is a schematic flow diagram of a production system. The diagram is dominated by a large square representing the system boundary. Inside the square, the diagram shows activities in rectangles, with inputs to and outputs from the activities in rectangles with rounded corners. Outside the system boundary, the diagram shows external sources or destinations in clouds. The diagram uses lines, with arrow heads, to represent the logical sequence of sources, inputs, activities, outputs and destinations.
This diagram has a vertical flow passing through the system from top to bottom. The vertical flow starts outside the system boundary with a source 'people'. From 'people' an arrow crosses the system boundary to an output 'ideas'. From 'ideas' an arrow goes to an activity 'design'. The activity 'design' is linked to an output 'design specification'. 'Design specification' is the input to an activity 'manufacture'. 'Manufacture' has an output 'products'. 'Products' is the input to an activity 'distribute'. The activity 'distribute' is linked to another output 'products'. From the output 'products' a line crosses the system boundary to a destination 'market' that is situated at the bottom of the diagram.
There are three inputs in rectangles with rounded corners to the left of the activity 'manufacture'. These are 'power', 'raw materials' and 'investment'. The input 'power' has a source 'energy' to the left outside the system boundary. The input 'raw materials' has a source 'materials supply' outside the system boundary. The input 'investment' has a source 'finance' outside the system boundary.
There are two outputs from the activity 'manufacture'. These are 'noise and smell' and 'waste materials'. The output 'noise and smell' goes to the destination 'local surroundings' outside the system boundary. The output 'waste materials' goes to 'waste disposal' outside the system boundary.
There is one input to the activity 'distribute' and that is labelled 'fuel'. This has as its source 'energy' outside the system boundary. The source 'finance' is also linked directly to the activity 'distribute' from outside the system boundary.